CIT Communications Finance Inc., which has corporate headquarters in Livingston, is suing Mantra Films Inc. of California, the parent firm of Girls Gone Wild, and its CEO and founder Joe Francis, for $233,588 that CIT alleges it is owed under an equipment-rental lease.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday and made public today in Superior Court in Morristown, claims Mantra has not paid all of its monthly equipment lease bills to CIT.

Mantra rented certain equipment from CIT and was supposed to pay $10,546 per month over a 60-month term, for a total of $632,760, states the lawsuit. But Mantra has failed to pay $233,588 of the amount due, and has neither purchased the equipment or returned it, according to the lawsuit. It seeks compensatory damages, costs, fees and the return of the equipment.

The complaint does not specify what kind of equipment was rented. CIT’s attorney did not return telephone calls for comment, and a CIT spokesman said the firm does not comment on pending litigation. Mantra’s spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

According to Mantra Films’ Web site, Mantra is the “infrastructure” behind Girls Gone Wild, billed as “America’s best-selling ongoing series capturing real, carefree college students and 20-somethings as they celebrate fun, freedom and youthful expression.” The videos from spring breaks, beaches, clubs and tour groups are distributed via outlets of television, pay-per-view, live events, retail, internet, radio, wireless and print.

CIT’s Web site says it is a global bank-holding company based in New York with more than $45 billion in finance and leasing assets, and has divisions in media and entertainment, commercial and industrial, energy and health care.